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14
antecedents of midwifery nurses, as great danger
arises from the employment of persons who have not
been instructed in the observance of scrupulous
cleanliness in the nursing of these cases.
Erysipelas.
One death is recorded.
Measles.
This year again we have a big mortality, and
an epidemic is with us at the end of the year. It is
now only two years since we were last visited by an
outbreak of this disease, and I think it is well that
you should again consider the advisability of placing
Measles on the list of notifiable diseases. This has
been done in Maiden and is proposed in Esher, and
if the other neighbouring authorities would agree to
follow these good examples I think it would afford
very valuable information, and tend towards reducing
the mortality from this disease and make it as mild
in its effects as is Scarlet Fever. Sometimes a few
cases are noticed to commence during the holidays,
and when the children return to school an epidemic
bursts upon the districts, and many lives are lost.
Notification would give information of the presence
of this disease in such cases, and the school opening
might be deferred. It might be practical to arrange
with medical practitioners in the town to notify only
the first case arising in each house, and now that the
Householders Notification is strictly enforced, even
those cases unattended by medical men would be
notified. This is a disease that might be effectively
treated by isolation, but it would not be proper to
take patients to a hospital used for other infectious
diseases. It is not necessary to have a hospital
removed from habitations, and an ordinary house